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Chat &

Happenings April 2019

In this Issue:

Jessica’s Journal 2

New Residents & Associates 3

Here’s What Happened Last Month 4

March Birthday Luncheon 8

Chaplain’s Corner 9

April Birthday List 10

Around Our Community 11 New Resident Spotlight 12

Associate Spotlight 13

Hair-Do of the Month 14

The Giving Corner 17

Abundant

Life for Seniors

Jessica Stewart

Executive Director

Georgine Tracy

Health Care Administrator

Ryan Champion

Director of Sales

Michele Fabiano

Director of Building Services

Christine Gallagher

Director of Residential Living

Kathy Joyce

HR Administrator

Jean Monteith

Director of Dietary

Bryant Nix

Director of Housekeeping

Mary Kate Somers

Director of Community Life

Rev. Marcia Stanford

Chaplain

Dawn Zindel

Director of Tapestries

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Jessica’s Journal

Hello and Happy Spring!! It is finally here.

Dining has kicked off their food tastings for the new menus. I

would love to hear your thoughts on them. Please feel free to

stop by and let me know your thoughts.

Before we know it, May will be here and we will be enforcing the transportation

schedule for medical appointments. Just a reminder it is Tuesdays and Thursdays

beginning May 1st. Appointments should be made at the front desk between the hours of

8am-3pm. If anyone is having trouble obtaining transportation through an outside

resource, please feel free to see myself or Michelle Morrell so we can assist.

Construction is moving along as scheduled. I promise to keep you and your family up-

to-date with everything. With that being said, I will be scheduling a family member

Town Hall meeting on Saturday, April 27. Please encourage your family members to

attend or at least provide me with their emails so I can keep them up-to-date.

One last thing… now that the weather is breaking with warmer temperatures and the sun

is shining, please remember to sign in and out with the desk or nursing if you are

leaving the building.

I wish both you and your loved ones a blessed Easter.

As always, it is a pleasure to serve you and my door is always open if you need

anything.

Warmly,

Jessica

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NEW RESIDENTS We are pleased to welcome new residents to The Shores!

Frank and Betty Lou Aliantro

Margaret Gordon

Irene Lucas

NEW ASSOCIATES Please extend a warm welcome to our new associates!

Michael Estergren, Receptionist

Cecilia Mintah, CNA

Cristina Pondevida, LPN

Gina Rozell, RN

Kourtney Sherman, LPN

Erin Shervinskie, Therapy Director

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Here’s What Happened Last Month Senior Space at The Shores celebrated a Spring Wellness Morning with

smoothies, Tai Chi, Chair Yoga, aromatherapy and inspiration rock painting. Special

thank you to associates, Amber and Christy, for the delicious healthy breakfast treats!

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Here’s What Happened Last Month It was a St. Paddy’s Day Celebration at The Shores with our friends from the South

Jersey Ceili Band and Jersey Shore Irish Dancers. Our associates Mary Kate, Maura

and Steve joined in on the dance floor fun!

Connor, Pete & Jeanne Barunas’

adorable great grandson, shows off

his St. Paddy’s Day spirit!

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Here’s What Happened Last Month

Pizza and Classic

Movie Night was

enjoyed by all who

attended! Look for

this event on next

month’s calendar

and ask your

friends to join you.

Thank you to John Haynal Jr. for sharing

his passion for automobiles during his

interesting Antique and Classic Car

Presentation. He is pictured here with

his father, John Sr.

The Shores Dining Services

team observed National

Nutrition Month with a

buffet celebration and

educational information.

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Here’s What Happened Last Month Sylvia’s Third Annual Tapestries Fashion Show was a vibrant event filled with

family, friends, and fantastic fashion. Our enthusiastic residents happily modeled

clothing with style and ease! We are grateful for Sylvia’s vision, dedication, kindness

and organization of this wonderful event.

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March Birthday Celebration A Big Shores Thank You

to our thoughtful, generous and talented party volunteers: Birthday Hosts - Ann Bolger and Lorraine Scott

Party Assistants - Sharon, Mary and Jackie Piano player - Michele Fabiano, The Shores Director of Building

Services Their kindness greatly added to the joy of the afternoon!

Best wishes to Grace, Larry, Helen, Dodie and everyone in our

community who celebrated a March birthday!

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CHAPLAIN’S CORNER

Happy April Shore Family!

Spring is the time of year when God reminds us that things are not always as they seem.

Over the course of a few short weeks, what appears hopelessly dead comes to life.

Bleak woodlands are transformed into colorful landscapes. Trees whose naked arms

reached to heaven all winter, as if pleading to be clothed, are suddenly adorned with

lace green gowns. Flowers that are faded and fell to the ground in surrender to the cold

rise slowly from the earth in defiance of death.

In Scripture, we read about some apparently hopeless situations as well. One example

is that of a wealthy man named Job whom God described as having integrity (Job 2:3).

Disaster struck and Job lost everything important to him. In misery, he said, “My

days…come to an end without hope” (7:6). What appeared to Job and his friends as

evidence that God had turned against him was just the opposite. God was so confident

of Job’s integrity that He trusted him in this battle with Satan. Later, Job’s hope and life

were renewed.

The faithful arrival of spring every year comforts us when we are in a situation that

seems hopeless. With God, there is no such thing. No matter how bleak the landscape

of life may look, God can transform it into a glorious garden of color and fragrance.

Remember, Satan, had to get permission from God before he was allowed to test Job.

Satan forgot that the omnipotent, all-knowing God knew his servant Job. Satan forgot

that God had created Job with this test in mind. Satan forgot that God already knew the

outcome, even though Job did not. God was confident of Job’s integrity and He is just

as confident of yours and mine. Like Job, He has created us with the fiber of integrity

we will need for every test we face. Our Father knows the stuff we are made of! If God

gives Satan permission to test us, then He has given us the strength and integrity to

PASS the trial before us!

God more than blessed Job for his integrity, He blessed him abundantly. Spring finally

came in Job’s trial and his life and his future were redefined, his faith transformed. Job’s

witness was now more powerful not only in his life, but also to all those who witnessed

his trial.

Hold on! God has already equipped you for the season of your trial. The spring of your

trial is on the way. Family, you are always in my heart and in my prayers!

Pastor Marcia Stanford Staff Chaplain

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The Shores Book Club

2019 Book Selections

3:00pm Music Room

All are welcome!

April 1 – Still Life by Louise Penny

May 6 – Princess: A Private Novel by

James Patterson

April Birthdays

Warm birthday wishes to

our residents!

4/1 Kathryn Miley

4/2 Evelyn Palermo

4/6 Rita Frisch

4/7 Maureen McClatchy

4/11 Irene Lucas

4/15 William Snow

4/19 Virginia Cummins

4/20 Faith Crowe

4/24 Michele Goodman

4/25 Mary Johnston

4/25 Ellen Marts

4/25 Betty Dean Weston

4/29 Lois Bond

Please refrain from throwing trash in the

large outdoor pots that surround our

community. The Ocean City Garden Club

will be filling them with spring flowers this

month. Thank you!

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Around Our Community

Claudia poses with

Lois, wearing her

cute and cozy hat

knitted by Lois. The

special pom-pom

was created by

volunteer, Jemma

Kraft.

Olive receives a friendly

visit from her furry friend

Opal.

Stockton intern, Arianna, enjoys conversation,

crocheting and knitting with Maria. Their new

friendship has been a gift to them both!

Our talented volunteer,

Alex, entertains residents

during our supper hour. It’s

always a treat to hear him

play his favorite, Bohemian

Rhapsody!

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New Resident Spotlight By Wendy Kern, Volunteer

This month I had the pleasure of interviewing a very

special couple: Pete and Regina Barunas. Pete and

Regina lived in Mount Laurel for 35 years and many

other places prior to that. The location I found the most

interesting was Philadelphia; where I was born and

raised, for 16 years. Pete and I lived in the same section

of the city and believe it or not, only 1 city block away

from each other. We talked about my elementary school,

in the neighborhood. It was so much fun for all of us,

getting this blast from the past!

Pete likes to be called Pete and Regina prefers Jeanne.

They are blessed with 5 children: 2 sons, and 3 daughters. They are also grateful for

their 11 grandchildren and one great-grandson, Connor, who is the apple of their eye.

He is 20 months old and has visited The Shores on many occasions. Some of you have

probably had the pleasure of meeting him.

When asked about his favorite job or occupation, Pete said he was the Director of

Corporate Accounting for RCA, and a daily golfer for 20 years. Jeanne was a

babysitter, dress maker, and worked at a packaging place. She said it was a fun place to

work.

Pete loves to play golf in the early morning and he’s also an avid Bridge player. I found

it fascinating that he is part of an International Bridge Group. Some of his favorite

players are from Denmark, Turkey, and Brazil. Jeanne has a group of six girlfriends that

have known each other since first grade. They have been getting together as a “lunch

bunch” for 88 years! Pete and Jeanne have many fond memories of years of traveling

overseas to the countries of Ireland, Italy, and Germany.

Jeanne is waiting for the sun to shine brightly every day so she can do the outdoor

activities she loves. Pete said, “I want to stay the way I am.” Words of wisdom would

be that they want their family to live life to the fullest every day.

The one-word Pete would share to describe himself is… Consistent. (He said he will be

exactly the same the 1st or the 100th day you meet him!)

The one-word Jeanne would share to describe herself is… Friendly. (A sense of humor

is important to her!)

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Associate Spotlight By Wendy Kern, Volunteer

Our lively monthly picture speaks for itself! This month I had

the pleasure of interviewing someone I’ve known for years at

The Shores. Our Spotlight Associate is Anna Nicosia, a

dedicated Community Life Assistant. I have had the delight to

work alongside Anna; helping to volunteer for many activities

to brighten the days of many residents.

Anna describes her responsibilities with enthusiasm in her

voice. She loves to help the residents interact with each other; taking them to Church and

different activities around the building. Get ready… there’s crafts, cooking, Rosary, Bingo,

cards, nails, trivia, singing and so much more! I personally thank, Anna, for getting to know

my mom and make sure her days were cheery and bright. If you know her, you know Anna

brings a song and a dance to everything she does for her resident friends. She calls each by

their first name and loves spending time with everyone.

Anna has been a part of the Shore’s Community for 8 ½ years. She started in the kitchen;

before moving to Community Life on the third floor. Anna has an interesting and varied work

history. Here’s a cool fact she shared… she worked at Columbia Records, in Pitman, when she

was 17 years old. After that, Anna waitressed for 28 years at different restaurants and diners in

the area, including Shore Diner and Red Lobster. No doubt bringing fun to every meal! She

also worked for a period with Acme, in the produce department.

Anna shared that she was born at home. She has one brother and one sister. Anna has been

with her soul-mate for 19 years; and lives happily in Somers Point. Her favorite spare time

activity she exclaimed is “Crabbing and fishing, I love crabbing!” Funny thing, Anna doesn’t

eat the crabs or fish… she usually gives them away.

Anna’s favorite part of her position is keeping residents happy and making them laugh. “I

enjoy them; that’s why I’m here.” Motivating residents to interact together and bringing

laughter to their days is her proudest accomplishment! Those who know Anna, know this is

exactly her charm and talent. Personality plus! Special resident memories are what Anna

cherishes the most. She has many recollections of just singing and dancing around with her

residents. I’ve seen this come out in her naturally and warmly. Anna did tell me about one

resident who lost her necklace chain so Anna brought her in a new one from home. The

resident thought that was extra-special! Anna spends time, with a resident dear to my heart,

hanging cards on her bulletin board and reading mail together. The one adjective Anna chose to describe herself is Happy- Go- Lucky.

Thank you, Anna, for brightening every day in the Shore’s Community with your spirit.

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Gigi’s Salon Hair-Do of the Month

Mary Dailey

Salon offers services for

men and women.

Hours

Tuesday - Friday

9am to 3pm

An open invitation to join

The Shores Tai Chi practice! Tai Chi can be described as “meditation in motion” as it brings tranquility

and helps with thinking more clearly. Many believe it to be aesthetically

pleasing, easy and enjoyable to practice. But don’t let the slow graceful

movements fool you…it’s a complex art! It is an integral exercise for all

parts of the body and mind.

The flowing movements of tai chi contain much inner strength leading to a

more balanced mental state; at the same time improving your fitness, agility

and balance. Numerous studies have shown Tai Chi increases muscular

strength, flexibility, fitness, improved immunity, pain relieve and improves

quality of life. As we know, fitness is important for overall functioning of the

heart, lungs, and muscles. In addition to these components, tai chi

movements emphasize weight transference to improve balance and prevent

falls.

Join your friends with Rev. Kathleen Crockford, The Shores volunteer and

Tai Chi instructor, in the Music Room Wednesday 4/3 and 4/24 at 11:15 to

see why Tai Chi is gaining popularity in our community!

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On-going activitiesThere are always lots of activities happening in our community!

Check out the list below and consider trying something new with friends.

Remember to check the calendar daily for events, outings,

entertainment and other activities.

Mondays

1:00 Busy Bees in the Craft Room

Tuesdays

2:30 Stitch in Time Knitting and Crocheting Group

outside the Library

Wednesdays

11:15 Tai Chi in the Music Room

Thursdays

2:00 Computer Class with Chuck in the Library

Fridays

1:00 Mah Jongg in the Music Room

Saturdays

1:00 Chicken Foot Game in the Craft Room

2:00 Bridge in the Craft Room

Sundays

1:00 Mah Jongg in the Music Room

2:00 Rummikub in the Library

Our Mission

Compassionately serving in community

so that all are free to choose

abundant life.

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A Message from the Foundation

Nonprofit Status and Mission

One thing that sets United Methodist

Communities apart from many other

senior living organizations is our

nonprofit status.

The big difference between non- and

for-profits comes down to goals.

Many for-profits deliver great

services and help their customers,

but at the end of the day, their main

goal is using those profits to benefit

shareholders and executives.

Nonprofits mainly focus on the mission.

Our mission is compassionately

serving in community so that all are

free to choose abundant life. In

practice, this difference means that

UMC reinvests revenue to improve our

ministry, not benefit shareholders, or

give big bonuses to top brass.

UMC depends on financial support from generous partners who believe in our

mission. The IRS recognizes us as a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization and, like

many charitable organizations, UMC has a foundation.

The Foundation exists to support and advance UMC’s mission. We do this by

building relationships with residents, associates, businesses, churches, and

many other groups, and inviting them to support our ministry in meaningful

ways.

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The Giving

Corner Ocean City High School Key Club Mardi Gras Party Giving back to the community comes easily to Ashley Schmid and her Ocean City High

School Key Club students. This year the Key Club members created a Mardi Gras theme dance

party that made everyone feel so special. It was a fantastic night with DJ Ken Schaffer and DJ

Jacob Hackett who kept the dance floor packed with party favorites and sing-a-longs. A

welcome addition to this annual event was a photo booth created by members of the Ocean

City Photography Club. The festive décor and delicious refreshments were also greatly

appreciated. Thank you to the many volunteers who helped make this night unforgettable. We

are always so grateful to people who make us happy, bring joy to our community and give gifts

from the heart!

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2201 Bay Avenue, Ocean City, NJ 08226

609-399-8505

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